POEMS

London: Chapman and Hall, 1856. 3 volumes. Fourth edition. 8vo, publisher’s olive green cloth with elaborate blind embossed designs on all covers, the spines handsomely lettered in gilt with gilt decorative tool. [xii], 314; viii, 303; vii, 310 pp. A beautiful set, rarely encountered in such nice condition, the text bright and clean with only the most minimal of foxing to a few leaves in the prelims, the cloth fresh with just a touch of wear along the tips or extremities. RARE IN THIS CONDITION AND A VERY EARLY SET OF BROWNING’S BEAUTIFUL POETRY. IT IS UNCOMMON TO FIND THESE IN ORIGINAL CLOTH. Browning’s poetry was already critically and publicly acclaimed while she was alive; she was considered Wordsworth’s successor as Poet Laureate upon his death. However, Browning’s more advanced ideas may appeal to readers of this generation. Browning was sympathetic to the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft, politically progressive in her views and in the literary realm, transformed poetic style and content. Thus, her work is by no means a mere curiosity but rather representative of the highest literary and intellectual achievements.